News
Hands-on with Panasonic Lumix S5 First look at Panasonic’s latest full-frame camera that has the credentials to be a hugely popular still/video hybrid
Lens round-up It has been a hectic month for new lens announcements
Tiny Tamron tele The 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD is Tamron’s first lens extending to 300mm for mirrorless cameras. It is the world’s smallest lens of its type, weighing in at just 545g and measures 148mm long. Key features, apart from its compact size, include moisture- resistant build, and 15 elements (including a low-dispersion lens) in ten-group construction. It also has a RXD stepping motor for super- quiet autofocusing and it accepts 67mm filters. This lens is available in Sony E-mount and priced at £649.99. transcontinenta.co.uk
Panasonic’s latest arrival, the Lumix S5, is a full-frame mirrorless that’s even smaller and a few grams lighter than the Micro Four Thirds-format Lumix GH5. The comparison with the brand’s GH5 is relevant as that camera has a fine reputation with its video skills, and the Lumix S5 is being touted as a still/ video hybrid. I had the Lumix S5 with the 20- 60mm f/3.5-5.6 kit zoom. That lens is interesting in itself, because most standard zooms stop at 24mm or 28mm, but to have one go as wide as 20mm is handy for those who enjoy shooting widescapes. On the downside, f/5.6 at 60mm is nothing exciting. The Lumix S5 fits the hands well and feels reassuringly solid. There’s no give in the body and the controls are positively click-stopped, so unintentionally changing the settings is unlikely to be an issue. In terms of performance, it’s the autofocus system that Panasonic says has been substantially improved in the Lumix S5 compared with the S1/S1R. It’s still a contrast detect system, but the autofocusing algorithm has been reworked to give more positive, more accurate responses when tracking moving subjects. It’s more capable at dealing with small subjects and eye recognition is better, too. I took the camera out for an evening walk in the sun with the camera set to shoot JPEGs and Raws. Exposures
Super-wide Laowa
Laowa’s range of imaginative lenses continues with the 14mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D, a full-frame lens for mirrorless cameras that’s super compact, weights 228g and accepts 52mm filters. Its construction features 13 elements in nine groups and that includes two aspherical and three extra-low dispersion lenses to suppress distortion. This super-wide lens is available in Leica M at £699 and in Sony E, Nikon Z and L-Mount fittings at £599. laowalens.co.uk
Benro Rhino tripods out now
Benro’s line-up of carbon-fibre Rhino tripods has four models on offer, catering for photographers of all needs, whether travelling light or setting up for a studio shoot. There’s a reduction in overall weight without impacting on handling or performance. The £200 FRHN05CVX20 is the smallest of the four models and weighs just 1.2kgs, measures 35cmwhen folded and will take a maximum load of 10kg. The largest tripod is the top of the range £290 FRHN34CVX30 that extends to over 170cm and has a max payload of 20kg. Benro has launched a range of tripods and ball heads
were consistently accurate, even in contrasty light, and autofocusing seemed capable, too. I used it most with single point AF for stills, but ventured into multizone for video. I didn’t have an S1/S1R handy to do a side-by-side comparison, but I found the S5 responsive and its AF did acquire focus efficiently. There is the usual contrast-detect characteristic of going through the focus point and back, but the process was quick and smooth, as well as being accurate. I found this the case, even as the light faded, so long as the AF point was directed on something with detail. It’s early doors, but so far, so good and with the Lumix S5 at £1800 body only, it’s nicely priced, too. panasonic.com/uk
Three VX ball heads have been launched to accompany the new tripods. All feature 360° pan movement, an Arca-compatible plate, quick-release platform and a safety catch to prevent accidental removal. benroeu.com
Get close with Sigma
The Lowepro Protactic bag range offers high levels of protection with good access to the contents and modular style. The range has gained four new members: the BP 300AW II backpack, the MG Lowepro expands Protactic range
Remembering Cheetahs Last month, we covered the news of the launch of the latest Remembering Wildlife book, Remembering Cheetahs , and the
The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art brings close-up photographers an appealing new lens option. This mid- telephoto is dust and splash proof, uses a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for fast, quiet AF and will be available for both E-mount and L-Mount users. The lens is available from 23 October 2020, priced at £699. sigma-imaging-uk.com
160 AW II messenger and two top-loaders, the TLZ 70 AW II and TLZ 75 AW II. Prices are £159.95, £115.95, £69.95 and £79.95 respectively. lowepro.com/uk
supporting exhibition. At the time, the exhibition was going to be an actual one in London, but with the ever-changing pandemic situation, the exhibition is now virtual, which means everyone can enjoy the
pictures. Stunning images, so well worth a look. bit.ly/34HtzOq
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